Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declared that Turkey will not permit Syria to plunge back into chaos, emphasizing the unyielding stance of his country regarding the region's stability. In his address at the conference organized by the Turkish Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), titled "Syria After One Year: Recovery and Reconstruction," Fidan articulated Turkey's commitment to thwarting Syria's division under the guise of a federal system and the oppression of its people under the pretext of achieving unity.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Fidan highlighted the tremendous costs incurred by Turkey from developments in Iraq and Syria over the past 25-30 years. He criticized Israel for allegedly seeking to expand its territory at the expense of regional stability, describing this as the region's primary issue. The Turkish Foreign Minister underscored the historical ties between Syria and Turkey, which were fractured with the advent of nation-states, and emphasized Syria's cultural, historical, commercial, strategic, and security significance to Turkey.
Fidan attributed Syria's trajectory after the Arab Spring to a "repressive minority" regime under Bashar al-Assad, initially supported by the international community, particularly the West. He firmly stated that Turkey sided with the oppressed and offered refuge to millions fleeing conflict, sharing resources with them despite the political costs domestically.
He further emphasized that Turkey's collaboration with the Syrian opposition was a historic obligation, highlighting the withdrawal of many initial partners from the cause under various pretenses. Fidan accused imperialist powers of exploiting the fight against ISIS to support the PKK and abandon the Syrian people. Despite the shifting balance of power in the region exacerbating Syria's issues, Turkey's position remained steadfast, with Qatar as one of the few countries continuing its support.
Fidan's speech reiterated Turkey's historical duty to stand with the Syrian people, despite the complexities and evolving dynamics in the region.